By Linda Kor During the June 23 meeting of the Holbrook council, Holbrook Chamber of Commerce Director Cindy Tafoya addressed the council regarding the activities of that organization. “Last July we started off our year with a food truck social and fundraiser and that fundraiser was to help contribute to the roof at the old courthouse.” She said the chamber also hosted Old West Fest in October with an amateur barbecue competition, which they hope to continue. In December, it was the Parade of Lights, Festival of Trees, 12 Days of Shopping and Light Up Holbrook. The Business of the Month program was implemented in January, where business owners are selected not only on the success of their business but also their involvement in the community. One event that was canceled due to the pandemic was the Taste of Holbrook in April. The chamber is hoping to once again host Food Truck Saturday beginning in August depending upon the pandemic. Tafoya also provided a strategic plan that was developed in 2018 with the goals outlined. They include helping businesses grow and revitalizing downtown with a focus on the main streets. “Even though the chamber doesn’t have any direct authority over the main streets we have influence over the businesses down there. So, we really hope we can work together with city administration and also the state with ADOT, with really working to improve the appearance of downtown.” Another goal is exposing resources such as the Petrified Forest, the Petroglyph Park and Rock Art Ranch, the culture and Route 66. “We don’t need a plethora of businesses here to bring in people. We have the resources and the beauty here to bring people into our community,” stated Tafoya. Another goal is to build strategic partnerships and working with sister cities and other chambers. The chamber is taking part in the Northeastern Regional COVID-19 Team, which includes a number of chambers from throughout the state, city administrators, Navajo and Apache reservation administrators, Northland Pioneer College and the Small Business Association to work towards a common goal of helping communities get through COVID-19 with a focus on businesses. Navajo County Fair Board President Mike Sample also addressed the council and provided an overview of activity at the Navajo County Fairgrounds and its contribution to the community. “This past year we’ve been busy. Early in the year we had the Tolani Lake roping that’s usually held in the first week of March. We also cancelled some events due to the pandemic. But we’ve been having our little barrel race series and our gymkhana has been continuing.” Upcoming events in July include barrel racing on Friday, July 3, and Saturday July 4, and the annual Arizona Livestock Camp will be held July 6-9. Sample noted, “There will be people coming from Texas for that, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, so there will be a lot of kids and their families coming for that.” In addition, the Route 66 Livestock Show will be held on July 10 and 11. In August, the Little Colorado River Horseman’s Association gymkhana will be taking place, as well as barrel racing events and team roping. The SAILA livestock show will also be held. Sample went on to explain that there had been a lot of discussion amongst the board members as to whether or not to hold the annual Navajo County Fair this September, stating, “The fair board voted to continue planning the fair as usual.” He noted that several counties are hosting “virtual fairs” due to pandemic concerns, including virtual livestock shows and auctions for the young 4-H participants. “We know things can change any day. So we’re just hoping that we can continue to plan as normal.” Sample stated that precautions will be taken in the form of suggestions for social distancing and the wearing of masks. Councilman Mark Jackson asked how social distancing will be possible for events such as the demolition derby and the rodeo. “We’re going to put up signs from the Centers for Disease Control letting people know. We’ve discussed do we limit seating in the area or having one of the bleachers for people who are social distancing and others for people who don’t mind sitting next to family members and stuff.” Sample pointed out that if they limit spectators then it also limits the amount of funding they get, limiting the ability to host an event. Councilman Earl Kester asked if food vendors will be open for the fair. Sample stated, “Right now we’re getting a lot of vendors requesting to come to the fair. Again, we’ll have to take the precautions and the servers will have to wear the mask. All the precautions that are mandatory will be in place. We are going by what the state mandates and what the city mandates. We’re not going to mandate that in order to come to the fairgrounds you have to wear a mask. We’re leaving it up to what the local jurisdictions or state jurisdictions require.” Following his presentation, Sample informed the Tribune News that the carnival will also be held. Regarding the fairgrounds, Sample explained that the funding received from the city maintains the facility throughout the year. The county provides funding to pay the salary of the employee in the office and the facility maintenance person. “It doesn’t pay for all of the salary. We do get some funding from the Governor’s Fund, which is an agricultural fund. That has to be used for agricultural purposes.” He noted that in 2019 it cost $431,000 to keep the fairgrounds open. Sample explained, “Navajo County Fair, Inc. is a non-profit organization. A lot of people think we are an entity of the county and we’re not,” he said. He thanked the city for its support, adding that without those funds and the working relationship with city staff they wouldn’t be able to keep the gates open. “The events that we have at the fairgrounds brings people to our community. If after a barrel race you go by Romo’s or El Rancho you’ll see horse trailers parked at the different restaurants. People buy fuel and lodging at our big events that helps create revenue for our town. Holbrook is actually the only town in Navajo County that benefits.”